Estimating Women Eligible for Breast Cancer Screening in California
Author Information
Author(s): Knutson Kirsten MPH, Zhang Weihong MS, Tabnak Farzaneh MS, PhD
Primary Institution: California Department of Public Health
Hypothesis
Can the small-area estimation method accurately estimate the population of women eligible for breast cancer detection services in California?
Conclusion
The small-area estimation method effectively estimates the population eligible for breast cancer screening services, revealing significant variability across counties.
Supporting Evidence
- The estimated proportion of eligible women was higher for Hispanics than for other racial groups.
- Estimates varied significantly across California counties, with Imperial County having the highest proportion of eligible women.
- The method allows for reliable estimates even when direct data is insufficient.
- Public health programs can use these estimates for better resource allocation and outreach.
- Variability and reliability of estimates can be measured, providing valuable information for program planning.
Takeaway
This study shows a way to figure out how many women can get free breast cancer checks, even when there isn't enough data. It helps find out who needs help the most.
Methodology
The study used a small-area estimation method with data from the California Women's Health Survey and Census 2000 to estimate the proportion of eligible women by county and racial/ethnic group.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from the reliance on multiple data sources, which may not fully represent the target population.
Limitations
The method's reliability can be affected by small sample sizes in certain racial/ethnic groups, leading to unreliable estimates.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 40 years or older, with a focus on racial/ethnic groups including Hispanic, white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI for county estimates
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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